What is Journey to the West?
Journey to the West is a classic Chinese novel that tells the story of a Buddhist monk named Tang Sanzang and his three disciples - Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy) - on their pilgrimage to India to obtain sacred Buddhist texts. Along their journey, they encounter numerous demons, monsters, and trials.
Features of Journey to the West
- The novel is divided into 100 chapters
- The pilgrims face "eighty-one calamities" on their journey
- The story concludes with Tang Sanzang and his disciples successfully reaching the Western Heaven, obtaining the scriptures, and returning to Chang'an
How to Read Journey to the West
You can read Journey to the West in:
- Classical Chinese: The most original version, highly recommended if your Chinese is very good
- Contemporary Chinese: A simple and easy-to-understand vernacular version suitable for people with a certain level of Chinese proficiency
- English: English version, if you have not learned Chinese, this is very suitable for you
Watch Journey to the West Online
You can watch Journey to the West online for free with English subtitles. Click to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Journey to the West about?
Journey to the West is a classic Chinese novel that tells the story of a Buddhist monk named Tang Sanzang and his three disciples on their pilgrimage to India to obtain sacred Buddhist texts.
How long is Journey to the West?
Journey to the West is typically divided into 100 chapters.
How many calamities are in Journey to the West?
In Journey to the West, the pilgrims are said to face "eighty-one calamities." This is a symbolic number representing the many difficulties and trials they must overcome.
How does Journey to the West end?
The story concludes with Tang Sanzang and his disciples successfully reaching the Western Heaven, obtaining the scriptures, and returning to Chang'an.
What happens at the end of Journey to the West?
At the end, the pilgrims successfully obtain the scriptures and return to Chang'an. They are welcomed and rewarded by the emperor. Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing are all elevated to higher positions due to their merits.
Helpful Tips
- You can also click to view the generated picture of Ai Wukong
- Read Journey to the West in different languages to suit your needs